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(共38张PPT)
Unit 4
Unit 4 Stage and screen
When HAMLET meets PEKING OPERA
To understand the meaning of the passage
To understand the change of the author’s feelings
To learn the language points in the passage
To express your own opinions about relative topics
How much do you know about Peking Opera
DO YOU KNOW IT
Peking Opera usually combines music, vocal performance, mine, dance and acrobatics.
Facial make-up is very important to the aestheti of Peking Opera. The colours are rich and depict different characters using colour symbolism.
Sheng
Dan
Chou
Jing
Roles in Peking Opera
sanxian
Orchestras in Peking Opera
jinghu
erhu
yueqin
sheng
drum
clappers
bass gong
gong
cymbal
The costumes, often the most recognisable feature of Peking Opera, are graceful, elegant, and brilliant in colour and design. They tell a character’s sex and status at first glance, marking off people from all walks of life, noble or humble, civil or military. Accessories, including helmets and hats, constitute an integral part to bring about dramatic stage effect.
Stages in most Chinese theatres are square platforms exposed to the audience on three sides, even all sides sometimes. There are very few props on the stage, and they are mostly used symbolically. The most common ones include tables, sedan chairs, flags, horsewhips and weapons. Most attention is focused on the actors’ and actresses’ singing and movements.
The basic skills of Peking Opera include dance movements and special acrobatic movements while singing or reciting, which are necessary requirements mastered by all actors and actresses.
Opera (in the Western tradition)
An opera is like a play in which everything is sung instead of being spoken. It incorporates a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance or ballet. The singers who sing and act out the story are on the stage, and the orchestra is in front of the stage but lower down, in the orchestra pit, so that the audience can see the stage.
1. Can you give a brief introduction to the
story of Hamlet What does the famous
quote “To be, or not to be” mean
2. What are the characteristics of Peking
Opera What representative works do you
know
Hamlet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Prince Hamlet is called upon by the supernatural to take revenge upon his uncle, Claudius, who has murdered his brother the king, seized the throne and married Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother.
“To be, or not to be” is the opening phrase spoken by Prince Hamlet in play Hamlet, Act III, Scene I. These are possibly the most famous words in English literature and introduce Hamlet’s meditations upon life – “To be or not to be” refers to the choice to be made between dying or continuing to live.
Look at the pictures of two performances and talk about their differences and similarities. Consider the following:
orchestra
costumes and masks
stage set
performers’ movements
How the characters moved on the stage most impressed the author.
Read the passage and find out what aspects of Peking Opera most impressed the author.
Match the main idea with its corresponding paragraph.
Paragraph 1 A. What the author feels when watching
the opera.
Paragraph 2 B. The Revenge of Prince Zidan will
make you fall in love with Peking Opera.
Paragraph 3 C. I am quite familiar with Hamlet.
Paragraph 4 D. Why the author likes the movements
of the characters best.
Paragraph 5 E. I want to know whether Peking
Opera is easier to understand.
The Revenge of Prince Zidan is an adaption of Hamlet into Peking Opera by Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company. The plot follows that of Hamlet, with Prince Zidan taking revenge upon his evil uncle, who has murdered his father and married his mother. The production includes some of Shakespeare's famous lines, such as the “To be, or not to be” speech.
Read the passage and answer the questions.
1. How many years has Peking Opera existed
2. What helped the audience get meanings in
the opera
3. What did the writer think of Peking Opera
before experiencing The Revenge of Prince
Zidan
Over 200 years.
The music, exaggerated movements and mime.
He wasn’t sure if he would enjoy it.
Complete the chart with words and expressions from the passage.
Before the perform-ance
________________
curious
He thought _______________ _________________.
He wondered if Peking Opera is easier than a Shakespeare play to understand.
During the perform-ance
After the perform-ance
THE REVENGE OF PRINCE ZIDAN
_____
impressed
________________________ were amazing.
The voices ______________.
The stage ______________.
The movements of the characters were ___________________.
He felt ______________________________________________.
full of
confidence
he knew a lot about Hamlet.
surprised
The costumes and masks
sounded (really) unique.
was (really) simple.
(simply) incredible.
the strong emotions of love, anger, fear and grief in the performance.
Decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).
1. “To be, or not to be” is from Hamlet. ( )
2. The author has seen several productions of
Hamlet. ( )
3. Peking Opera started in the 17th century.
( )
4. Jinghu is an instrument with two strings.
( )
5. Some of the male voices were so high in the
opera. ( )
T
T
F
T
F
6. Peking Opera transformed a small stage
into the whole universe. ( )
7. The author’s favourite part of the show
was the performers’ movements on
stage. ( )
8. The author enjoyed The Revenge of Prince
Zidan very much. ( )
T
T
T
Choose the author’s purpose in writing the passage.
1. To prove that Peking Opera is a better way to
perform Hamlet.
2. To inform the readers how to perform Hamlet
through Peking Opera.
3. To share the unique experience of seeing a
Peking Opera version of Hamlet.
4. To make a comparison between Eastern and
Western cultures.
Why does the author say “The Revenge of Prince Zidan ticks all the right boxes”
Because this show combines music, singing, drama, poetry and costume design with explosive effect. In the author’s opinion, this show is perfect and meets all his requirements.
2. How could you help a friend from overseas understand Peking Opera
some videos
some relative books or websites
…
1. Write a summary about 60 words
for the reading text.
2. Write a short passage about
Peking Opera.

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